U.S. patent application number 13/651104 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for social payment method and apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INC.. Invention is credited to Erdem akar, Brian DuCharme, James George Gallagher, Karl Ingram, Nisrine Labcir, Asya Vitanova, Stephen Whitney, Seckin Yilgoren.
Application Number | 20140108233 13/651104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50476289 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140108233 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yilgoren; Seckin ; et
al. |
April 17, 2014 |
SOCIAL PAYMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS
Abstract
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium
configured to facilitate electronic payments through social
networks.
Inventors: |
Yilgoren; Seckin; (Istanbul,
TR) ; akar; Erdem; (Istanbul, TR) ; DuCharme;
Brian; (New York, NY) ; Vitanova; Asya;
(Brussels, BE) ; Labcir; Nisrine; (Ixelles,
BE) ; Gallagher; James George; (Co. Dublin, IE)
; Ingram; Karl; (Co. Dublin, IE) ; Whitney;
Stephen; (Co. Dublin, IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INC. |
Purchase |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL
INC.
Purchase
NY
|
Family ID: |
50476289 |
Appl. No.: |
13/651104 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/01 20130101;
G06Q 20/10 20130101; G06Q 20/32 20130101; G06Q 20/325 20130101;
G06Q 20/384 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/39 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/10 20060101
G06Q020/10 |
Claims
1. A social networking service payment method comprising: receiving
a payment instruction from a user via a network interface;
prompting the user to designate a friend to receive a payment;
prompting the user to designate a funding source for the payment;
prompting the user for an amount of the payment; generating a
redemption code for the payment with a processor; notifying the
friend of the payment and the redemption code via the network
interface.
2. The social networking service payment method of claim 1, further
comprising: prompting the user to share the user's payment
experience.
3. The social networking service payment method of claim 2, further
comprising: determining a currency conversion for the payment when
the payment is an international financial transaction.
4. A social networking apparatus comprising: a network interface
configured to receive a payment instruction from a user; a user
database encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the
database containing a user profile record, the user profile record
configured to be associated with a plurality of friends' user
profiles and configured to be associated with a plurality of
funding sources; a processor, coupled to the network interface,
configured to prompt the user to designate a friend to receive a
payment, prompt the user to designate a funding source for the
payment, prompt the user for an amount of the payment, and generate
a redemption code for the payment; wherein the network interface is
further configured to notify the friend of the payment and the
redemption code.
5. The social networking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the
processor is further configured to prompt the user to share the
user's payment experience.
6. The social networking apparatus of claim 5, wherein the
processor is further configured to prompt the user to share the
user's payment experience determine a currency conversion for the
payment when the payment is an international financial
transaction.
7. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with data and
instructions, that when executed by a computer causes the computer
to: receive a payment instruction from a user via a network
interface; prompt the user to designate a friend to receive a
payment; prompt the user to designate a funding source for the
payment; prompt the user for an amount of the payment; generate a
redemption code for the payment with a processor; notify the friend
of the payment and the redemption code via the network
interface.
8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, further
causing the computer to: prompt the user to share the user's
payment experience.
9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further
causing the computer to: determine a currency conversion for the
payment when the payment is an international financial
transaction.
10. A social networking service payment request method comprising:
receiving a payment request instruction from a user via a network
interface; prompting the user to designate a plurality of friends
to receive the payment request; prompting the user for an aggregate
total target amount of the payment request; notifying the plurality
of friends of the payment request via the network interface; and
alerting the user when the aggregate total target amount is
received or exceeded from the plurality of friends.
11. The social networking service payment method of claim 10,
further comprising: prompting the user to share the user's payment
experience.
12. A social networking apparatus comprising: a network interface
configured to receive a payment request instruction from a user; a
user database encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium,
the database containing a user profile record, the user profile
record configured to be associated with a plurality of friends'
user profiles; a processor, coupled to the network interface,
configured to prompt the user to designate a plurality of friends
from the associated plurality of friends' user profiles to receive
the payment request, to prompt the user for an aggregate total
target amount of the payment request; wherein the network interface
is further configured to notify the plurality of friends of the
payment request via the network interface, and to alert the user
when the aggregate total target amount is received or exceeded from
the plurality of friends.
13. The social networking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the
processor is further configured to prompt the user to share the
user's payment experience.
14. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with data and
instructions, that when executed by a computer causes the computer
to: receive a payment request instruction from a user via a network
interface; prompt the user to designate a plurality of friends to
receive the payment request; prompt the user for an aggregate total
target amount of the payment request; notify the plurality of
friends of the payment request via the network interface; and alert
the user when the target amount is received or exceeded from the
plurality of friends.
15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14,
further causing the computer to: prompt the user to share the
user's payment experience.
16. A social networking service payment method comprising:
notifying a user of a payment and a redemption code via the network
interface; prompting the user for the redemption code; prompting
the user for receiver options for the payment; depositing the
payment according to the receiver options chosen by the user.
17. The social networking service payment method of claim 16,
further comprising: prompting the user to share the user's payment
experience.
18. A social networking apparatus comprising: a network interface
configured to notify a user of a payment and a redemption code; a
user database encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium,
the database containing a user profile record, the user profile
record configured to be associated with a plurality of financial
accounts; a processor, coupled to the network interface, configured
to prompt the user for the redemption code, prompt the user for
receiver options for the payment from the plurality of financial
accounts, and depositing the payment according to the receiver
options chosen by the user.
19. The social networking apparatus of claim 18, further
comprising: prompting the user to share the user's payment
experience.
20. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with data and
instructions, that when executed by a computer causes the computer
to: prompt the user for the redemption code; prompt the user for
receiver options for the payment; deposit the payment according to
the receiver options chosen by the user.
21. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 20,
further causing the computer to: prompt the user to share the
user's payment experience.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Aspects of the disclosure relate in general to social
networks. Aspects include an apparatus, system, method and
computer-readable storage medium to facilitate electronic payments
through social networks.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A social networking service is an online service that
focuses on facilitating the building of social relations among
people. The service allows individuals to for example, share
interests, activities, backgrounds, or real-life connections. A
social network service consists of a representation of each user
(often referred to as a "profile") and social links.
[0005] Most social networking services are web-based and provide
means for users to interact over the Internet, such as e-mail and
instant messaging. Social networking sites allow users to share
ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual
networks.
[0006] In addition to individuals, vendors are increasingly using
social networking services to market their goods and services. In
exchange for having consumers "like" or "friend" them in a social
network, vendors may offer free samples or discount codes.
SUMMARY
[0007] Embodiments include a system, device, method and
computer-readable medium to enable electronic payments via a social
networking service. Embodiments allow for payment requests,
payments, and receipt of payments via the social networking
service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system configured to
enable electronic payments via a social networking service.
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an apparatus embodiment configured to enable
electronic payments via a social networking service.
[0010] FIGS. 3A-B flowchart a method embodiment to enable a payment
via a social networking service.
[0011] FIGS. 4A-B flowchart a method embodiment to request a
payment via a social networking service.
[0012] FIGS. 5A-B flowchart a method embodiment to receive a
payment via a social networking service.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] One aspect of the disclosure includes the realization that
social networks can also be used to facilitate financial
transactions between individuals and other entities.
[0014] In another aspect of the disclosure, a social network
enables payment services that may include making payments,
requesting payments, or receiving payments via the social network.
Users may then post feedback and comments on the payment process to
the social network.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 1000 configured
to enable payment via a social networking service, constructed and
operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure. System 1000 includes consumers using a plurality of
computing devices 1100a-e to connect to a social network payment
server 2000 via a data network 1200, such as the Internet. Details
and example uses of social network payment server 2000 are
discussed below.
[0016] In some embodiments, consumers may use mobile computing
devices 1100d-e and connect to social network payment server 2000
via a wireless data network 1300 capable of connecting to the
Internet. It is understood that wireless data network 1300 may be a
wireless data provider such as a cellular telephone network,
wireless local area network (WLAN or "WiFi networks"), satellite
data networks, and the like. Mobile computing devices 1100 include
mobile devices such as mobile telephones, tablet computers, laptop
computers, "ultra books" or other portable computing device known
in the art capable of communicating to social network payment
server 2000.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, social network payment server 2000 may
be connected to payment processor 1400 and issuers 1500a-n via an
interbank network. Social network payment server 2000
electronically implements a social networking service.
[0018] Payment processor 1400 is a payment network capable of
processing payments electronically. Example payment processors 1400
include MasterCard International Incorporated.
[0019] Issuers 1500a-n include any banks and other entities that
issue payment cards.
[0020] An interbank network 1300 is a computer network that
connects different banking institutions. For example, an Automated
Teller Machine (ATM) consortium network is an interbank
network.
[0021] Embodiments will now be disclosed with reference to a block
diagram of an exemplary social network payment server 2000 of FIG.
2, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of
the present disclosure. Social network payment server 2000 is
configured to merge balances of payment cards.
[0022] Social network payment server 2000 may run a multi-tasking
operating system (OS) and include at least one processor or central
processing unit (CPU) 2100, a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium 2200, and a network interface 2300.
[0023] Processor 2100 may be any central processing unit,
microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device or circuit
known in the art.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, processor 2100 is functionally comprised
of a social network 2110, a web-server 2140, and a data processor
2130.
[0025] Social network 2110 may further comprise: user authenticator
2112, purchase-payment engine 2114, notification manager 2116, and
friends tracker 2118. User authenticator 2112 is an interface that
allows users to verify their identity to the social network payment
server 2000. Purchase-payment engine 2114 performs payment and
purchase transactions to payment cards, checking accounts,
electronic wallets or other financial accounts known in the art.
Payment cards include debit, credit, and charge cards. Notification
manager 2116 enables the social network 2110 to communicate with
users. Friends tracker 2118 enables the social network 2110 to
associate users within the social network. These structures may be
implemented as hardware, firmware, or software instructions and
data encoded on a computer readable medium, such as storage media
2200. Further details of these components are described with their
relation to method embodiments below.
[0026] Data processor 2130 interfaces with storage media 2200 and
network interface 2300. The data processor 2130 enables processor
2100 to locate data on, read data from, and write data to, these
components.
[0027] Web-server 2140 is any computing device configured to
deliver web pages or other content across the Internet 1200 via
network interface 2300; user devices 1100 may communicate with a
social network 2110 via the World-Wide-Web protocol and web-server
2140.
[0028] Network interface 2300 may be any data port as is known in
the art for interfacing, communicating or transferring data across
a computer network, examples of such networks include Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), token bus, or token ring
networks. Network interface 2300 allows social network payment
server 2000 to communicate with internet 1200, consumer 1100,
consumers using mobile payment devices 1100d-e, interbank network
1300, payment processor 1400, and issuers 1500a-n.
[0029] Computer-readable storage media 2200 may be a conventional
read/write memory such as a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive,
optical drive, compact-disk read-only-memory (CD-ROM) drive,
digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, high definition digital
versatile disk (HD-DVD) drive, Blu-ray disc drive, magneto-optical
drive, optical drive, flash memory, memory stick, transistor-based
memory, magnetic tape or other computer-readable memory device as
is known in the art for storing and retrieving data. Significantly,
computer-readable storage media 2200 may be remotely located from
processor 2100, and be connected to processor 2100 via a network
such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or
the Internet 1200.
[0030] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, storage media 2200 may also
contain a user database 2210. User database 2210 is configured to
store information associating users with payment cards and other
financial services accounts. Users may be individuals, businesses,
charities, or other entities. For individual user accounts, users
may be associated with one or more payment cards.
[0031] The function of these structures may best be understood with
respect to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3-5, as described below.
[0032] We now turn our attention to method or process embodiments
of the present disclosure, FIGS. 3-5. It is understood by those
known in the art that instructions for such method embodiments may
be stored on their respective computer-readable memory and executed
by their respective processors. It is further understood that users
may connect to the social network payment server via a myriad of
computing device. For example, the computing device may be a mobile
device such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, or stationary
device, such as a desktop computer.
[0033] It is further understood that embodiments of the present
disclosure may be applied to a variety of financial services
accounts, including credit, debit, charge, prepaid cards, checking
accounts, savings accounts, trading accounts and electronic wallets
(subject to any applicable financial regulatory restrictions and
requirements). An electronic wallet is a program or service where
users can store and control their online shopping information, like
logins, passwords, shipping address and payment card details, in
one central place.
[0034] FIGS. 3A-B flowchart a method 3000 to enable a payment via a
social network payment server 2000, constructed and operative in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] At block 3010, user authenticator 2112 receives information
from user 1100 to authenticate the user against data stored in the
user database 2210. Embodiments may authenticate users using any
method known in the art including, but not limited to: passwords,
cardkeys, optical recognition, fingerprint identification, and
facial recognition.
[0036] When social network 2110 receives a "make payment"
instruction, block 3020, the friends tracker 2118 prompts the user
to select the friend (the "payee") to receive a payment at block
3030. Friends tracker 2118 allows user 1100 to select associates or
friends as payees, based on links from user 1100a to other users in
user database 2210, block 3020.
[0037] The user is prompted to designate a funding source for the
payment, block 3040 by purchase-payment engine 2114.
[0038] Payments may be made in a variety of different electronic
payment methods, including, but not limited to: payment cards,
electronic wallets and banking accounts. Each different method has
differing types of data associated with it, and this data is stored
in the user database 2210. Payment cards include a unique
identifier such as a Primary Account Number (PAN). Banking accounts
include checking and savings accounts. As described above, an
electronic wallet is a program or service where users can store and
control their online shopping information. A bank account will
include a routing transit number (RTN) and an account number. In
the United States, the routing transit number is a nine-digit bank
code identifying the financial institution, used to facilitate the
sorting bundling and shipment of checks to the account. Outside the
United States, such as in Europe, an International Bank Account
Number (IBAN) number may be used.
[0039] As part of the funding source selection, the funding source
may be selected from information stored at user database 2210,
and/or the user may be prompted for the information.
[0040] At decision block 3050, the social network 2110 determines
whether the payment transaction is an international payment
transaction. In one embodiment, the international payment
transaction determination may be made by comparing the user's
country of residency with the payee's residence country. In another
embodiment, the user may be prompted for the information.
[0041] If the payment is not an international transaction, flow
continues at block 3080; otherwise, the user may be prompted for
the international currency, block 3060.
[0042] In some embodiments, the purchase-payment engine 2114
determines the currency for international transactions by the
payee's country of residence. In one embodiment, the
purchase-payment engine 2114 is able to look up the conversion rate
and presents this to the user. Additionally, user are prompted for
how they want the currency commission to be paid, block 3070.
Generally, exchange commissions may be paid by the sender, or
deducted from the amount sent to the payee.
[0043] At block 3080, the user is prompted for an amount to be
paid.
[0044] At decision block 3090, the social network 2110 presents a
summary of the payment transaction to the user and asks the user to
confirm the payment. If the user denies the payment transaction,
the transaction is cancelled and process 3000 continues at block
3140.
[0045] If the user confirms the transaction, the purchase-payment
engine 2114 performs the payment transaction, block 3100, preparing
to credit the payee's account by the amount to be paid, minus any
transaction fees.
[0046] The user is prompted to choose a notification method, to
inform the payee about the impending payment, block 3110. The payee
is notified about the pending payment and presented a redemption
code to redeem the payment by notification manager 2116, block
3120. The redemption code may be generated by the purchase-payment
engine 2114. In one embodiment, the redemption code is a unique
code related to the transaction.
[0047] The user 1100 is notified when the payment is redeemed by
the payee, block 3130. The notification may occur via the social
network, an electronic mail message, a short-message service (SMS)
message, text message, automated telephone call or any other
electronic communication known in the art.
[0048] At block 3140, the user 1100 is invited to share their
payment experience with the social network 2110. If the payee
agrees to share the experience, as determined at decision block
3150, the experience is shared at block 3160. Otherwise, the
information is not shared, block 3170, and the process 3000
ends.
[0049] FIGS. 4A-B flowchart a method 4000 to request a payment via
a social networking service, constructed and operative in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In such an
embodiment, the user requests a friend or group of friends to make
a payment to the user. This method 4000 may be used to raise funds
from a group of friends for a specific social event, charity,
activity or the like.
[0050] At block 4010, user authenticator 2112 receives information
from user 1100 to authenticate the user against data stored in the
user database 2210. As mentioned above, user authenticator 2112
embodiments may authenticate users using any method known in the
art including, but not limited to: passwords, cardkeys, optical
recognition, fingerprint identification, and facial
recognition.
[0051] When social network 2110 receives a "request payment"
instruction, block 4020, the friends tracker 2118 prompts the user
to designate a friend (a "payor") or group of friends that will
make the payment at block 4030. Friends tracker 2118 allows user
1100 to select associates or friends as payees, based on links from
user 1100a to other users in user database 2210.
[0052] The user is prompted to designate the amount and currency
for the payment, block 4040. In some embodiments, the amount and
currency may be a "target" amount that a group is trying to
raise.
[0053] Social network 2110 tracks the payment transaction or
transactions (when multiple payors are contributing), block 4060.
When the payment is completed or the target goal for funds is
completed or exceeded, notification manager 2116 sends a
notification to the user to report that the payor has made the
payment, block 4070. The notification may occur via a method
predetermined by the user. In some instances, the notification
occurs via the social network, an electronic mail message, a
short-message service (SMS) message, text message, automated
telephone call or other electronic communication known in the
art.
[0054] At block 4080, the user 1100 is invited to share their
payment experience with the social network 2110. If the payee
agrees to share the experience, as determined at decision block
4090, the experience is shared at block 4100. Otherwise, the
information is not shared, block 4110, and the process 4000
ends.
[0055] FIGS. 5A-B flowchart a method embodiment 5000 to receive a
payment via a social networking service, constructed and operative
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is
understood by those familiar with the art that the payment received
may be from a payment method 3000.
[0056] At block 5010, user authenticator 2112 receives information
from user 1100 to authenticate the user against data stored in the
user database 2210. Similar to the processes out lined above, user
authenticator 2112 may authenticate users using any method known in
the art including, but not limited to: passwords, cardkeys, optical
recognition, fingerprint identification, and facial
recognition.
[0057] Notification manager 2116 informs the user of payment that
has been received, along with a redemption code for the payment,
block 5020.
[0058] If the user approves the payment receipt, as determined at
decision block 5030, the process flow continues at block 5040;
otherwise, if the payment is not approved, the process continues at
block 5090.
[0059] At decision block 5040, social network 2110 determines
whether the user is a first time user for the payment process. If
not, the process flow continues at block 5060. If the user is a
firs time user, they are registered for the payment services, block
5050. The payment registration may include a user registering the
appropriate account to receive payment, such as a credit to a
payment card, or other financial account.
[0060] At block 5060, social network 2110 prompts the user for the
provided redemption code, found in the notification from block
5020. Note that some embodiments will prompt the user multiple
times if a redemption code is entered incorrectly. These
embodiments may also invalidate a redemption code if the code is
entered incorrectly more than a predetermined number of times. For
example, the user may enter the code three times, and if all three
attempts are unsuccessful, the redemption code is invalidated. If
the redemption code is incorrect, flow continues at block 5090. If
the redemption code is correct, the user is prompted for options on
how to receive the funds and the funds are deposited, block 5080.
The process flow continues at block 5110.
[0061] At block 5090, the user has either disapproved the receipt
of the funds (from decision block 5030) or the redemption code is
incorrect (from decision block 5070). At this time, the payment is
rejected, and the payment is sent back to the contributor/payor.
The contributor is notified of the payment rejection, block 5100.
In some embodiments, a new redemption code is automatically
reissued and sent to payee.
[0062] At block 51100, the user 1100 is invited to share their
payment experience with the social network 2110. If the payee
agrees to share the experience, as determined at decision block
51200, the experience is shared at block 51300. Otherwise, the
information is not shared, block 51400, and the process 5000
ends.
[0063] The previous description of the embodiments is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.
The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use
of inventive faculty. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended
to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be
accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel
features disclosed herein.
* * * * *